as in vicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the neighborhood chatterbox has again been spreading malicious gossip
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Recent Examples of malicious
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks a target's computer files, systems, or networks until an extortion payment is made, according to the FBI.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Whether most of the justices choose to tolerate this kind of malicious half-compliance with their decisions will likely become clear in the coming days.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 19 Apr. 2025
These emails might include malicious links designed to install malware or steal login information.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Time to update: Apple has discovered hackers exploiting an iOS bug via malicious media files.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Whether most of the justices choose to tolerate this kind of malicious half-compliance with their decisions will likely become clear in the coming days.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 19 Apr. 2025
These emails might include malicious links designed to install malware or steal login information.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Time to update: Apple has discovered hackers exploiting an iOS bug via malicious media files.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious
Adjective
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Sandhagen dispatched Edgar with a vicious flying knee 28 seconds into that bout.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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With two hits, one hit-by-pitch and zero outs recorded, Williams then left the mound to a vicious chorus of boos as Aaron Boone summoned Mark Leiter Jr. — not Weaver — from the bullpen.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But this is the cruel and unreasonable state of this Administration's deportation policy.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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Such evidence could support the view that incessant loud noise amounts to torture or cruel treatment towards cetaceans, in turn galvanizing support for a new right to be free from such harm.—
David Gruber,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.—
Catherine Pearson,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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Now, imagine a flood of political images, hateful memes and mocking videos from domestic and foreign sources taking over social media.—
Ernesto Verdeja,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mingyang took the center of the Octagon from the beginning, landed hard leg kicks, and opened a nasty gash on Smith’s forehead with a step-in elbow.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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That is exactly what the Giants need: nastier players on both sides of the ball.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Turns out none of them are crazy; there’s a malevolent conspiracy to erase folks taking place across the time-stream and Caleb’s only hope at finding Sara lies in a rebellious young woman named Tallulah, who seems to know all about Detective Stone.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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In the comics, Bob Reynolds/Sentry has a split personality and his other persona is that of The Void, a malevolent villain.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Mar. 2025
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The more spiteful Drake could smell a world of buff, misogynistic grifters taking hold and made sure to set up shop where the audience would be.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After a series of tests, Karen was diagnosed with a glioma of the pons, a malignant tumor growing within the middle part of her brain stem.—
Jackie Tempera,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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In 2024, Tina Knowles, 71, underwent a lumpectomy to have the malignant tumor removed.—
Sara Vallone,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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